Photo: coffeeandcrazy.blogspot.com.This fuel will land you at the mechanic in a big ole’ hurry.

Like cars, our bodies require fuel. Like cars, the type of fuel we choose to fill up on greatly affect how we function.

If you put diesel in a gas tank, the car will smoke and the engine will run roughly.

If you put gas in a diesel tank, you run the risk of damaging the fuel injector and pump, or the ‘internal organs’ of your car.

And, like our bodies, if we consume a lower-octane grade than recommended, we can cause damage to our system. A higher-octane grade will not cause damage.

The takeaway? Clean, whole, unprocessed foods work for all makes and models of bodies. Processed foods work for some — but these are the “cars” that don’t stay on the road as long. See what I’m getting at?

When we choose clean-burning fuel, we choose whole nutrients [vitamins, minerals, proteins, antioxidants, enzymes] that are easy for our system to assimilate. This means more bang for the nutritional buck and less harmful by-products from the metabolic process. The body has to expend more energy to break down non-foods (think: anything that comes from a package and was created by food scientists in a lab somewhere), which means we need to eat more often to be satisfied and fueled. The clean-burning option (think: whole fruits and veggies; whole grains; unprocessed, lean proteins; nuts, seeds, legumes) is more bioavailable: the energy you derive from it is yours to use for whatever higher purpose you have in mind. Whole food fuel can help to stabilize the cycle of spikes and crashes from improper fuel: instead of being held back, you can use your food to propel you forward.

What you choose to put in your mouth throughout the day impacts how you live in each moment. Ask yourself: is this food serving me? Is it moving me in the direction I want to go?

By increasing our clean-burning fuel [supporting quick, efficient internal functioning], we invest in our bodies as vehicles to last thousands of miles more. Mental clarity, more energy, and a stronger immune system are just the beginning. Choosing the clean option sets us up to do incredible things – and stop being in our own way.

Ready to give it a try?

Fill up your tank with this green juice and notice how your mind + body run more smoothly than when fueled by doughnuts. It’s like comparing a stunt car with a clunker: which will you be today?

Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter to receive a free copy of ‘Fueled by Greens’, an e-book packed with tons of easy way to fill your tank with whole nutritious greens for more energy and clarity! Visit my site at www.fromthegroundupwellness.com and click ‘newsletter’ at the bottom!